This day we got up super early and crossed the border. Getting in and out of Israel is always an adventure because Jordan and Israel do not like each other very much . . . aka . . . they are really careful that nothing dangerous gets passed through the border. But we made it through ok, and were off to the Maduba church, where there is a famous mosaic of the ancient world. Then we headed to the place where John the Baptist was beheaded. Then we drove for a really really long time on windy roads and for the first time, I felt motion sick. So I took this anti motion sickness pill and it knocked me out cold. I think there were some priceless sleeping pictures taken, and I am sure that I was one of them because these pills are like benedyl times 10. My last thought was “This is not comfortable or attractive position at ALL. But I don’t think I can move.” Then I slept for the rest of the 3 hour bus ride. Then we went to Mt. Nebo (where Moses saw the promised land for the first time). And honestly, I can understand a little bit when the Israelites looked out with Moses and said “Egypt wasn’t that bad was it . . . ??”. The promised land kind of looks like a barren wasteland. A little bit. But that probably also had to with the fact that Jordan had a heat wave when we were there, and so it was like mid-90’s. So it was so hot that you are in the sun for 10 seconds and you are already desperately looking for nonexistent shade. I mean, we were literally in the middle of a barren wasteland. We finished the day by going to Petra by night. Basically, when you go to Petra, you go in a slot canyon like fifteen feet wide for a mile, and everything is lit by little candles in brown bags. The stars are amazing, and at one point we looked up and the walls of the slot canyon framed the big dipper perfectly. We walked along and then the slot canyon opened up and there was this huge open area full of candles and then right in front of you is this HUGE building carved into the sandstone wall. You are looking at the treasury of Petra. It was so amazing and it was so fun to walk along, talking with all our friends, singing stars from Les Mis, and listening to Indiana Jones music on our iPhones.
MT. NEBO!!! OVERLOOKING THE PROMISED LAND!! YAY!!!
Me and Chelsea in front of the promised land.
The girls bathroom at Mt. Nebo . . .we think it used to be a men's bathroom?!
Jordanian road.
Bedouin barbies for one dinar. Awesome, right!!
Maduba church . . . this church has an amazing mosaic of the ancient world.
The amazing mosaic!
Apparently the creepy blue hand just showed up miraculously on this painting one day . . . it means that there should be more artwork in churches . . . . ya, it seemed all a little weird to me, but it is a miracle to them.
They had some really awesome mosaics at this church.
Jordaian flag. (And another random red and white one.)
Where John the Baptist was beheaded (used to be one of Herod's palaces.)
Petra at night!!!!
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